Oliver Randall - Writers in Whites
, Thursday 24th September 2026, , Start time: 7:00pm, , Run time: 90 minutes
As part of the Taunton Literary Festival's Autumn Festival of Talks, Oliver Randall explores the fascinating links between cricket and some of Britain's best-loved writers. Drawing on new research, he uncovers the influence the game had on literary culture from the late nineteenth century through to the 1960s.
Join writer, historian and cartoonist Oliver Randall as he discusses Writers in Whites, a study of the influential network of cricket-playing writers who helped shape English literary culture.
From P.G. Wodehouse and J.M. Barrie to Arthur Conan Doyle, the book explores how cricket influenced some of Britain's most celebrated authors. Drawing on extensive new research, Randall reveals the connections between writers, their cricketing circles and the wider literary world, while examining the role the sport played in cultural life between the 1880s and the 1960s.
Oliver Randall completed his doctoral thesis, Cricket, Literary Culture and Englishness, 1887–1968, in 2026 and has written for a range of publications, including the Times Literary Supplement. He has also worked as a historical researcher and cultural tour manager.
This event offers readers, history enthusiasts and cricket fans the chance to discover an unexpected chapter in Britain's literary and sporting history.
Tickets Available on the Website
Tickets and pricing
General Admission: £9 Book and Ticket: £22 Tickets available on the website
